The Minnesota man who was found guilty of killing Minneapolis North High School student 15-year-old Deshaun Hill Jr. has been sentenced to spend years in prison.
Last month, a jury convicted 30-year-old Cody Fohrenkam of second-degree murder following Hill’s death last year.
Tuesday morning, Hennepin County judge Julie Allyn sentenced Fohrenkam to 463 months (38.5 years) in prison, allowing him to receive 379 days of credit for time already served. He must spend two-thirds of that sentence behind bars.
When the sentencing hearing began, Fohrenkam’s attorney asked for three people to be excluded from giving witness impact statements, citing one person not living in Minneapolis, and the two others would “attack” the defendant. However, the judge allowed all of the statements to be heard.
Hill was walking home from school on Feb. 9, 2022, when he was shot and killed. Prosecutors say Hill and Fohrenkam brushed shoulders while walking past each other and Fohrenkam then shot Hill and ran away.
Despite Fohrenkam’s attorney said there was little evidence to support that allegation, but jurors reached the verdict after just an hour of deliberations.
Second-degree murder carries a penalty of up to 40 years in prison.
The defense fought for a sentence of 386 months (32.1 years), adding it wasn’t appropriate for the court, or for the state, to argue for a higher sentenced based on allegations of Fohrenkam not showing remorse. His attorney also stated Fohrenkam has shown remorse for Hill’s family.
Immediately following the sentencing, Hill’s family said they are fighting to enact new legislation that would ensure anyone over the age of 25 who kills a minor can receive two life sentences. The family added that they have been in touch with representatives from the Governor’s office regarding this legislation.
After the sentencing hearing ended, the County Attorney issued a statement regarding Fohrenkam’s future:
“This sentence brings legal closure to a tragic and senseless act of gun violence that devastated those who knew and loved Deshaun and everyone in the North High School community and beyond. I am grateful to the community members, law enforcement and our team in the County Attorney’s office who played a role in delivering justice for Deshaun and his family. We must address the issues that make violence a viable decision for far too many people. We will continue to work with law enforcement to aggressively prosecute violence and hold those responsible accountable.”
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